Once out in the park, a half-mile away, his hands thrust in theirpockets, Jasper slackened his pace, and breathed freer. Before himseemed to be the little brown house; it was the first time he had seenMrs. Pepper--and they had just finished their long talk, when the motherhad thanked him for rescuing Phronsie from the organ-grinder. The fivelittle Peppers were begging him to come over again to see them, but Mrs.Pepper laid her hand on his arm. "Be sure, Jasper," she warned, "thatyour father is willing." He could see her black eyes looking down intohis face. What would she say now?

Jasper threw himself down on one of the seats under a friendly tree. "Atleast, Polly, you sha'n't be ashamed of me," he said in a moment or two,"and dear Mrs. Fisher," then he walked quietly off to make the lastpreparations that his father had ordered.

* * * * *

"Well, now, Charlotte," said Mrs. Fisher, "you needn't worry, not asingle bit," and she went on calmly sorting out the small flannelpetticoats in her lap. "That is rather thin," she said, holding up onebetween her eyes and the light; "King Fisher, how you do kick thingsout!"

"Polly? I'd trust my girl to know what was sense, and what wasnonsense," declared Mother Fisher crisply, and not taking off herattention in the slightest from Baby's petticoats.

"Ar-goo--ar-goo!" screamed little King.

"So we would--wouldn't we, Birdie?" she said, nodding at him.

"But people do such very strange things in--in--love," said Charlotte,her face full of distress, "I mean when love is in the question, Mrs.Fisher."

"Polly doesn't," said Mrs. Fisher scornfully. "Polly has never been inlove; why, she is only twenty."

Charlotte gave an uneasy whirl and rushed off to the window.

"And there's that dreadful, hateful Mrs. Cabot," she cried, plungingback, her pale eyes afire. "Oh! I feel so wicked, Mrs. Fisher, wheneverI think of her, I'd like to tear her, I would, for picking at Polly,"she declared with venom.

"You needn't be afraid," repeated Mrs. Fisher calmly, "Polly knows Mrs.Cabot through and through, and will never be influenced by anything shesays."

"Oh, dear, dear, dear!" cried Charlotte, wringing her long hands, "andthere's that Mr. Loughead, and everything is mixed up, and I can'tfrighten you."

"Now, just see here, Charlotte," cried Mother Fisher, casting aside theflannel petticoats to look up, "you must just put your mind off from allthis; I should never know you, my girl, you are always so sensible andquiet. Why, Charlotte, what has gotten into you?"

"That's just it," cried Charlotte, a pink passion in her sallow cheeks,"everybody thinks because I don't rant every day, that I haven't anymore feeling than a stick or a stone. Oh! do excuse me, Mrs. Fisher, butI love Polly so!" And she flung herself down on her knees, burying herface among the little flannel petticoats in Mother Fisher's lap.

"And I don't--don't want her to marry that Pickering Dodge," mumbledCharlotte.

"Certainly not; and she's no more likely to marry him than you are,"said Mrs. Fisher coolly, giving gentle pats to Charlotte's head, whileKing Fisher screamed and twitched his mother's gown in anger to see thepetting going on.

"Well, now I have two babies," said Mother Fisher, with a smile, liftinghim up to her lap, where he amused himself by beating on Charlotte'shead with both fat fists, till his mother seized them with one hand,while she gently smoothed the girl's hair with the other. "Polly can betrusted anywhere; and when she is in too much of a dilemma, then shebrings everything to mother."

Charlotte sat up straight and wiped her eyes.

"And we've got somebody else to worry about much more, and all oursympathies ought to go out to him," said Mrs. Fisher gravely.

"Charlotte, I don't mind telling you that I am dreadfully sorry thatGrandpapa has taken Jasper away from his business." She sat King Fisherabruptly on the floor, all the little petticoats tumbling after him, andwalked away so that Charlotte could not see her face. "Poor Jasper, heloved his work so."

[Illustration: "WELL, NOW I HAVE TWO BABIES," SAID MOTHER FISHER]

"And that's just it," gasped Charlotte, somehow finding her feet tohurry over to Mrs. Fisher, "Jasper has lost his work, and now ohdear!--oh! can't you see, Mrs. Fisher"--and then frightened at herboldness, she ran back to Baby.

"Charlotte Chatterton!" exclaimed Mrs. Fisher. There was something sodreadful in her tone, that Charlotte, without a word, ran out of theroom--to meet little Dr. Fisher hurrying upstairs with his hands full ofletters. "A whole budget from Brierly," he announced joyfully; "two foryou, my girl," casting them into her hands. "And the folks are cominghome next week; that is, our folks--good news--eh, Charlotte?" then hesped on to find his wife.

And at dinner Charlotte, sitting pale and immovable amidst all the chat,let the news of Mr. and Mrs. Mason Whitney's and Dick's determination tocome on to greet the arrivals from the Brierly farmhouse, fall onapparently unheeding ears.

"Charlotte!" cried Dr. Fisher at last, looking at her through his bigspectacles, "why, I thought you would rejoice with us," he addedreproachfully.

"Adoniram," exclaimed Mrs. Fisher across the table, for the first timein her life looking as if she would like to step on his toes. The littledoctor stared at her a moment--"Oh--er--never mind, my dear," he criedabruptly, turning to Charlotte. "I suppose you do not feel well."

"Yes, I do feel well," said Charlotte truthfully, not daring to look atMrs. Fisher, but keeping her eyes on the tablecloth.

"I have a letter from Mr. King--a very long one; he is going to see Joeland David," Mother Fisher made haste to say; "I hope he hasn't heardanything wrong about them," and a little anxious pucker came on herforehead.

Charlotte Chatterton glanced up quickly, and seeing it, "Oh, I dobelieve everything is all right, Mrs. Fisher," she exclaimedinvoluntarily.

Mother Fisher looked straight at her with one of her brightest smiles."I guess so," she said, her brow clearing.

And after they had pulled back their chairs from the table, and thelittle doctor had gone into his office for a minute, Mrs. Fisherfollowed Charlotte out into the hall.

"Charlotte," and she put both hands on the girl's shoulders, "you and Iwon't meddle with the Lord's will for Polly. Promise me that you'll notsay one word of what we were talking, to any one."

"I won't!" said Charlotte Chatterton.

"And now," said Mother Fisher, dropping her arms and resuming her usualcheery manner, "you and I, Charlotte, have got to put our minds ongetting ready for the Whitneys and the home-coming, and we must make itjust the brightest time that ever was. I'm no good at thinking up waysto celebrate," added Mrs. Fisher, with a little laugh, "Polly always didthat; so you must do it for me, you and the doctor, Charlotte. And youbetter run in to his office now and make a beginning, for next week willcome before we know it," and with a motherly pat, and a "run along,child," Mrs. Fisher waited to see Charlotte well on the way before sheturned to her own duties.

"Come in!" cried little Dr. Fisher, as she rapped at the office door."Oh, it's you, Charlotte," with a sigh of relief; "I'm sure I don't feelmuch like dragging on my boots and going off to the Land's End to-night,on a call."

"Mrs. Fisher thought I ought to come and see you, sir, about getting upa plan to celebrate the home-coming next week," said Charlotte, feelingher heart bounding already with delight. Would they really all betogether in a week?

"Now that's something like," exclaimed Dr. Fisher joyfully, and pushingaside with a reckless hand his books and vials on the table; "sit down,do, Charlotte; there," as Charlotte settled her long figure in theopposite chair. "Now then!"

"I never got up a plan to celebrate anything in my life," saidCharlotte, folding her hands in dismay.

"Nor I either," confessed the little doctor in an equal tremor, "Pollywas always great at those things. But I suppose that's the reason mywife set us two together, Charlotte, for she's the wisest of women, andperhaps we ought to learn how to get up celebrations."

[Illustration: "I'VE ALWAYS FOUND," SAID DR. FISHER, "THAT ALL YOU HADTO DO TO START A THING, WAS TO BEGIN."]

Charlotte drew a long breath and moved uneasily in her chair. "If weonly knew how to begin," she said at last doubtfully.

"I've always found," said Dr. Fisher, springing from his chair, "thatall you had to do to start a thing was to--begin."

"Yes, that's just it," ruminated Charlotte, bringing up her hands tohold her head with, "I think we are in a tight place, Dr. Fisher."

"Hum, that may be," assented the little man, "I like tight places. Now,then, Charlotte, how do you say begin?"

Charlotte sat lost in thought for a minute, then she said, "Any way, Ithink it would be best for us to get up something very simple, so longas we are beginners."

"I think so too," agreed Dr. Fisher, "so that's settled. Now for thefirst thing; what do you say we should do, Charlotte?"

"How would it do," asked Charlotte suddenly, "to invite everybody afterthey have gotten over the first of the home-coming--after dinner, Imean--into the drawing-room, and then tell them that we are not smartenough to think up things, and ask them to give a recitation apiece, orsomething of that sort?"

"Charlotte Chatterton!" exclaimed the little doctor, cramming his handsinto the side pockets of his office coat and staring at her,

"Oh! I couldn't sing," cried Charlotte, drawing back into her shell ofcoldness again, "they don't any of them care for it; they've heard me somuch," she finished, trying to smooth her refusal over.

"You'll sing," declared the little doctor decidedly, "we could never betired of hearing you; and for the rest, I have a notion that this mightsuit. See here," and he threw himself into his office chair, and lookedCharlotte squarely in the face, "why not ask Alexia and Cathie and theothers, to take hold and get up some fandango--eh?"

Charlotte caught herself on the edge of saying "No," then drew a longbreath and said, "Well," trying not to seem indifferent over the plan.

"Don't like it--eh?" asked Dr. Fisher, regarding her keenly.

"It might be the best thing in the world," said Charlotte slowly. "Thosegirls act splendidly; they've had little plays so often, and Polly hasdrilled them, that they'll know just how to go to work, and it willplease Polly. Oh, yes, do let us have that," she cried, beginning to waxquite enthusiastic.

"It will please them too," said the little man, not withdrawing hisgaze.

"Yes, it will please them," said Charlotte, after a minute, "and I willrun over in the morning and ask them."

"That's good!" cried Dr. Fisher, bringing his hands together with ajoyful clap; and getting out of his chair he began to skip up and downlike a boy. "And let Amy Loughead do the piano music, do; that willplease Polly to see how the child has gone ahead. I can't hardly believeMiss Salisbury; she tells me the chit practices every minute she cansave from other things. Be sure to have her asked, Charlotte, child."

"I will ask Amy," promised Charlotte, with a pang at the thought of thedelight over Jack Loughead's handsome face at her invitation.

"And you are to sing," cried the little doctor jubilantly. "Now we areall capitally fixed. It takes you and me to get up celebrations, doesn'tit?" and he stood as tall as he could and beamed at her. "I'd go over asearly as I could, Charlotte," he advised, "and tell those girls, becauseyou know a week isn't much to get ready in."

"I will," said Charlotte, "go the very first thing after breakfast."

And after breakfast, the next morning, she tied her hat on, and nottrusting herself to think of her expedition, actually ran down the longcarriage drive to the avenue--then walking at her best pace, she stoodbefore Alexia Rhys' door and rang the bell.

"There, now, I can't go back," she said to herself, and in a minute ortwo she was in the reception room, and Alexia Rhys was running over thestairs and standing with a puzzled expression on her face, before her.

"Yes," said Charlotte Chatterton, "I came to ask if you would get upsomething nice to celebrate the home-coming of all the family fromBrierly; and Mr. Whitney's family are to come too, next week. Will you,Miss Rhys?"

"I didn't at first," said Charlotte Chatterton, "but I do now, MissRhys--oh! very much, you and Miss Harrison, and all those girls--you canget up something beautiful; and Dr. Fisher and I don't in the least knowhow, and we want you to do it." Then she sat quite still.

"Well, come in," said Alexia audibly at last, dragging Clem after herinto the reception room, "we've got to do what's right now, any way."

"I'm awfully ashamed, Miss Chatterton," said Clem Forsythe, goingstraight to Charlotte's chair and putting out her hand; "we girlshaven't been right to you since you came, and I, for one, want to askyour pardon."

"Dear me, so do I," cried Alexia, crowding in between with an eager handstretched out, "but what good will that do--we said things, at least Idid the most. Oh, my hateful tongue!"

"If you'll only take hold and make a nice celebration for Polly and allthe others, that will be all I'd want," said Charlotte. "Thank you, youare so good," she brought up happily.

Two days after, old Mr. King was walking over the college campus, boundfor Joel's and David's room in the "Old Brick Dormitory."

"I am glad I sent Jasper ahead to the hotel; I much rather pop in on theboys by myself," soliloquized the old gentleman in great satisfaction."Ah, here it is," beginning to mount the stairs.

"Come in," yelled a voice, as he rapped with his walking-stick on thedoor of No. 19, "and don't make such a piece of work breaking the doordown--oh, beg pardon!" as Mr. King obeyed the order.

A tall figure sprawled in the biggest chair, his long legs carried up tothe mantel, where his boots neatly reposed; while a cloud of smokefilling the room, made Mr. King cough violently in spite of himself.

"'Tis a nasty air," said the tall young man, getting his legs down inhaste from the mantel, and himself out of the chair, though with muchdifficulty; "take a glass of water, sir," hobbling over to a side table,and pouring one out, to work his way with it to old Mr. King.

"Thank you," said the old gentleman, when he could speak, and acceptingit quickly, "you say truly, the air is beastly," glancing around theroom in displeasure at the plentiful signs of its inmates' idea ofhaving a good time at college. "Are Joel and David Pepper soon to bein?" As he spoke, he lifted up the cover of a French novel thrown on thelounge near him, and dropped it quickly as he read the title.

"Hey? oh! I see--a little mistake," exclaimed the tall youth, goingunsteadily back to his chair. "Their room is 19, in the extension. I amRobert Bingley, sir."

"I'm very glad," cried old Mr. King heartily, "for I don't mind tellingyou, my young friend, that I shouldn't want Joel's and David's room tolook like this."

"I don't blame you in the least, sir," said Bingley, nowise abashed,"but you needn't worry, for the Peppers aren't my kind. You must beGrandfather King?" he added.

"Yes, I am," said old Mr. King, straightening up, and throwing back hiswhite hair with a proud gesture. "So you've heard about me?" he asked,in a gratified way.

"I should rather think we had," said Bingley, "why, all of us know aboutyou, sir." Here he got out of his chair again. "You won't care to, afteryou know all, but I should like to shake hands with you, sir."

"Most certainly," responded the old gentleman heartily, "although yourroom isn't to your credit." Thereupon he bestowed a courtly hand-shakeupon the young man, with the utmost cordiality, making Bingley, whoseemed to have a good deal of trouble with his legs, to retreat to hischair in a high state of satisfaction.

"It was mean of me to ask you such a favor, sir," said Bingley, gazingup at the ceiling, "before I had told you all, but I couldn't help it,some way, and I knew you wouldn't touch my hand after you'd heard. Well,I was one of a gang who went to Joe Pepper's room last week for thepurpose of lamming him."

"You went to Joe Pepper's room for the purpose of lamming him?" repeatedold Mr. King, darting out of his chair.

"So the rest of the gang are going for him to-night; I'm not able to,"said Bingley, trying to appear careless.

"Joel to be in such business--how could he!" fumed old Mr. King. "Agentleman--and I thought so much of his turning out well. It will killhis mother--oh, how could he?" turning fiercely on Bingley.

"See here, now," cried that individual, tearing his gaze from theceiling, to send a sharp glance at the white-haired old gentleman, "Joeis all right; straight as a brick. You can bet your money on that, sir."

"Oh--oh!" cried Mr. King, more and more horrified, "is this what you allcome to college for? I should consider, sir," very sternly, "it a placeto keep up the dignity of one's family in, and that of such a venerableinstitution," waving both shapely hands to include the entire pile ofbuildings by which they were surrounded.

Bingley gave vent to an uncontrollable laugh. "Beg pardon, sir, but thedignity isn't worth a rush. We are in the old hole, and all we look outfor is to have a good time, and scrape through."

"No, he doesn't affect us," said Bingley coolly, "it's all he can do totake care of those eyeglasses of his; and he'd muss his clothes. Whitneyis something of a softy, sir."

Old Mr. King drew a long breath of relief. But he looked so troubled,that Bingley for the life of him couldn't keep up his assumedcarelessness.

"Sit down again, do, sir," he begged involuntarily, "and I will tell youall about it," and Mr. King, resuming his chair, presently had a graphicaccount of Joel's course in college, with a description of the troublein his room, till the whole thing was laid bare.

"How I wish I had been here to see my boy," exclaimed the old gentleman,with sparkling eyes; "I might have helped him a bit." He stretched out ahandsome fist and looked at it as admiringly as any college athletecould view his own. "Well," dropping his arm, "I am interrupting you,Mr."--groping for the name.

"Bingley, sir."

"Ah, yes; Bingley. Well, Mr. Bingley, pray go on. Did you not say thatanother attempt was to be made on my grandson?"

Bingley nodded. "To-night after he comes from the Association rooms," headded.

"We shall see--we shall see," exclaimed the old gentleman drily, in amanner that delighted Bingley and made him tingle all over to "be in atthe death" himself.

"Dobbs has planned it to"--

"Dobbs?" interrupted the old gentleman sharply, "what family? Not theIngoldsby Dobbs, I trust"--

"This chap's name is Ingoldsby Dobbs," said Bingley; "he's a high-flyer,I tell you! Lives up to his name, I suppose he thinks."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," mourned Mr. King; "I have known his father eversince we were boys; he's capital stock. Well, go on, Mr. Bingley, andlet me know what this young rascal is up to," he added, with extremeirritation.

"He is going to have his men close in on Joe in the middle of the park.Pepper often comes that way to 'Old Brick'--short, you know, for 'OldBrick Dormitory'--with a poor miserable cuss--excuse me, sir--he'strying to get up on to sober legs. There are twenty fellows pledged todo the job, I've found out."

Bingley didn't think it worth while to mention how the plan wasdiscovered, nor that heavy vengeance was vowed upon his head if hedivulged it.

"I gave it away to Whitney. I couldn't get at Davi--er, Dave, to see ifit wasn't possible to keep Joe away from that meeting."

"It would come some time--it better be to-night," said the old gentlemanbriefly. "Well, is that all?"

"Yes, sir; only that they are to toss a cloak over Joe's head, and carryhim off for a little initiation fun."

"Ah!" Old Mr. King sat quite straight. "Thank you, Mr. Bingley," hesaid, getting out of his chair. He didn't offer to shake hands, andBingley, though pretending not to notice any omission of that sort, feltconsiderably crest-fallen about it.

The moment the door was shut and he heard Mr. King go down the stairs,Robert Bingley ran his fingers through his hair, giving a savage pull atthe innocent locks.

"Curse my luck!" he growled, taking out the angry fingers to shake themat his legs, "tied here by these two beggars, and he thinks that I'msneaking out of standing up for Joe!"

Old Mr. King fumed to himself all the way down the stairs, becoming moreangry with each step. When he reached the lower hall he turned andpassed through the building instead of going out, and meeting a youngcollegian on a run, asked, "Have the goodness to tell me, sir, does Mr.Ingoldsby Dobbs room in this building?"

"No. 23-4-5 in the extension," said the undergraduate, not slackeningspeed, and pointing the direction. So the old gentleman climbed thestaircase to the wing, and presently rapped on the door marked 23.

Uproarious shouts of laughter greeted him as he opened the door inresponse to a loud "Come in!" The noise stopped as suddenly as it waspossible for the inmates of the room to check it when they saw thevisitor, but not before "We'll season Pepper well and make the deaconhowl!" came distinctly to his ears.

"Good afternoon, young gentlemen," said old Mr. King, bowing his whitehead; and holding his hat in his hand, he advanced to the table, aroundwhich sat six or eight of them. "I beg of you not to go," as some ofthem made a sudden movement to leave; "I should like to see you all,though I called especially upon Mr. Ingoldsby Dobbs."

A tall, wiry youth with sallow face and high-bred nose, disentangledhimself from the group and came forward. "I don't remember where I havemet you, sir," he said, yet extending his hand, with his best manner on.

"Aristocratic old party," whispered one man to his neighbor, "Dobbseyneedn't be afraid to claim him."

"I am very thankful to say I never have met you before, young man,"observed Mr. King coolly, not seeing the slender hand waiting for his,"your father honors me with his friendship. This may tell you who I am,"and he threw a card upon the table.

Young Dobbs' sallow face turned a shade paler as he picked up the cardand read it.

"Glad to see you--sit down, won't you?" he mumbled, dragging up acomfortable chair. "Any friend of father's is welcome here," he went onawkwardly, while the rest of the men stared at him, one of themexclaiming under his breath, "First time Dobbs' cheek deserted him, I'llwager."

The old gentleman looked first into Ingoldsby Dobbs' thin face, thensurveyed them all quite leisurely. "I understand you paid my grandson,Joel Pepper, a call a short time since, when instead of abusing him,some of you got your deserts."

The men started, and angry exclamations went around the room: "He'sturned coward, the mean sneak! We'll pay him up!" and remarks of a likenature being quite audible.

Old Mr. King turned on them. "Silence!" he commanded. "My grandson Joeldoesn't know I am here. I heard the story since my arrival. If any onesays one word against him, I'll cane him from the top of the stairs tothe bottom," and he looked as if he could do it.

"'Twas Bingley, then," said Dobbs sullenly.

The old gentleman completely ignored him, addressing his words to thecrowd. "There are four men in this class who are going to be protectedfrom your insults. Those are my three grandsons and Mr. Robert Bingley;and this is to be done without appealing to the college authoritieseither. That puts a stop to your fine plan, Mr. Dobbs," at last lookingat him, "and any other idea of the same sort your fertile brain maychance to think up. The first intimation of any hostility, and yourfather and the fathers of these men here with you," waving his hand atthem all, "and of the others in this interesting plan, will be informed,and you will be dealt with exactly like any other disturber of thepeace--villains in college or out of it ought to be served to the samepunishment, in my opinion. Now have any of you remarks to make?"

It was so like Joel's invitation to "Come on and have it out now," thatnot a single man of them stirred.

"Then I will have the pleasure of bidding you good-by," said Mr. King,and the next moment he was outside of No. 23, while perfect silencereigned within.

Polly came slowly down Mrs. Higby's front stairs and looked at Phronsiestanding at the further end of the entry.

"What's the matter, Phronsie?" at last she asked.

For the first time in her life Phronsie seemed unable to answer Polly,and she stood quite still, her gaze fastened on the big-flowered muslincurtain that swung back and forth in the breeze that came through theopen window.

"Now, Phronsie," said Polly very decidedly, and going up to her, "youmust tell me what the matter is."

"Mamsie wouldn't ever allow you to be annoyed about anything," saidPolly, with increasing irritation, "and if Mrs. Cabot has said anythingto you, Phronsie, to make you feel badly, why, I must know it. Don't yousee, child, that I really ought to be told?"

Phronsie folded her hands tightly together, trying to keep them quiet,and her cheeks turned so very white that Polly hastened to put her wellarm around her, saying quickly, "There, there, child, you needn't tellme now if you don't want to. Wait a bit."

"I had rather tell it now," said Phronsie, "but oh, I do wish thatGrandpapa was here," she added sadly.

"Whatever can have been said to you, Phronsie?" exclaimed Polly indismay. "You frighten me, child. Do tell me at once what it was."

"Jasper isn't going to be at Mr. Marlowe's any more," said Phronsie,with distinctness.

"Jasper isn't going to be at Mr. Marlowe's any more." repeated Pollywildly, and holding Phronsie so closely that she winced. "Oh, what doyou mean! who has told you such nonsense?"

"Mrs. Cabot," said Phronsie; "she told me this morning--and I was not totell you, Polly. But I did not promise not to. Indeed I didn't."

"What perfect nonsense!" exclaimed Polly, recovering herself, and tryingto laugh, "well, Phronsie, child, didn't you know better than to believeany story that Mrs. Cabot might tell? How in the world could she know ofJasper's affairs, pray tell?" and she laughed again, this time quitegaily.

"Ah, but," said Phronsie, shaking her head, "she had a letter from Mr.Cabot; it came in this morning's mail; she opened it and said out loudthis dreadful thing about Jasper, and then she saw me, and she said Iwas not to tell you."

Polly dropped Phronsie's arm and rushed down the hall.

"Where are you going?" cried Phronsie, hurrying after--"Oh, Polly!"

"I am going to make Mrs. Cabot tell me everything she knows," said Pollyhoarsely, and not looking back; "she shall let me have every syllable.It can't be true!" She threw wide the door of Mrs. Higby's"keeping-room" where that lady was engaged in putting a patch on thechintz-covered sofa, and talking gossip with a neighbor at the sametime.

"I thought as this was a-going so fast, Mr. Higby sets it out so, and wewere all so comfortable to-day, I'd get at it kinder early," said Mrs.Higby apologetically; "anything I can do, Miss Polly?" she asked, flyingaway from her patch, and dropping her scissors on the floor.

"No," said Polly, turning back hastily. "Never mind, Mrs. Higby."

"Now 'twas something you wanted me for," cried Mrs. Higby, amblingtoward the door, "I ain't a mite busy, Miss Polly; that old patch canwait. La! I can tell Mr. Higby to set on the other end till I get timeto attend to it. What was it, Miss Polly?"

Polly turned back, Mrs. Higby's tone was so full of entreaty. "Oh,nothing, only if it isn't too much trouble, would you ask Mrs. Cabot tocome down stairs a moment, I want to see her."

"Oh, cert'in," cried Mrs. Higby, ambling off toward the stairs. Andpresently Mrs. Cabot in a pink morning gown came down the hall towardPolly, and put both arms around her.

"I don't know a thing about it," cried Mrs. Cabot in a frightened way,"only Mr. Cabot writes that Mr. King has made Jasper leave Mr. Marlowe.That's all I know about it, Polly," she added desperately, "and I wishMr. Cabot had been asleep before he wrote it. Phronsie, oh! get a glassof water; be quick, child!" as Polly sank down on the old stone floor ofthe porch.

CHAPTER XXI.

POLLY TRIES TO HELP JASPER.

"I think it was a mean shame," began Dick wrathfully.

"Dick--Dick!" exclaimed his mother gently.

Mr. Whitney tapped his knee with a letter he had just placed within itsenvelope, then threw it on the table. "It's the best job I ever did," hecried jubilantly, "to get Jasper out of that business."

Dick sent his two hands deep within their pockets. "Oh! how can you sayso?" he cried.

"And how can you question what your father does?" exclaimed Mrs.Whitney. "Why, that isn't like you, Dick!" with a face full of reproach.

"Oh! let the boy say what he wants to, Marian," broke in her husbandeasily. "So, Dicky, my lad, you don't think I did just the right thingfor Jasper--eh?"

He leaned back in his chair, and surveyed his young son with a twinklein his eye.

"No, I don't," declared Dick, beginning to rage up and down the room onyoung indignant feet. "I say it's mean to meddle with a fellow'sbusiness. I wouldn't stand it!" he added stoutly.

"Well, if I didn't know that in a year's time Jasper will come to me andsay, 'I thank you!' I should never have gone through with the job in theworld," said his father, when he came out of his amusement. "It isn'tthe pleasantest piece of work a man could select, 'to meddle,' as youcall it, with another's affairs."

"Jasper never will thank you in the world--never!" exclaimed Dick,cramming his irritated hands deeper in their pockets, and turning on hisfather.

"You see," said his father, nodding easily.

"And you see, papa," cried Dick, turning hastily in front of him,looking so exactly like his father that Mrs. Whitney forgot to chide, inadmiring them both.

"And I think it's too bad," went on Dick. "Everybody pitches intoJasper, and wants him to do things; and Grandpapa is always picking athim. I'd--I'd fight--sometimes," he added.

"Well, I know one thing," declared Dick, more positively, "Grandpapa hasalways been meddling with Jasper, and you know it, papa."

"That's because he expects great things from Jasper, and that he willhold up the King name; we all do," replied his father.

Dick turned on an impatient heel. "And so he would have done, if you'dlet him be a publisher," he declared.

His father laughed again, and leaned out of his chair to pinch his son'sear, but Dick, resenting this indignity, retreated to a safe position,declaring, "And I'm going to be one when I'm through college--so!"

[Illustration: "I THINK IT WAS A MEAN SHAME' BEGAN DICK WRATHFULLY.]

"Mr. King's a-coming down the road, and Mr. Jasper!" screamed Mrs.Higby, coming out suddenly to the porch. "I see 'em from thekeepin'-room window. My! what's the matter with Miss Polly?"

"Dear me, Polly," exclaimed Mrs. Cabot, before Mrs. Higby could answer,and putting shaking hands on Polly's shoulders, "I never was sofrightened in my life! I thought your arm was worse--and you so nearwell! O, dear! are you sure you are right?" peering around into herface. "Here comes Phronsie with the water--that's good!"

Polly took the glass and smiled up reassuringly into Phronsie's troubledface. "Oh! how good that is, Phronsie," she cried. "There now, I'm allright. Don't let Grandpapa or Jasper know," and she sprang to her feet,while Mrs. Higby hurried off to see if her preparations for dinner wereall right, now that Mr. King had come back a day sooner than he wrote heintended.

"Phronsie, you go and meet them; do, dear," begged Polly; and asPhronsie ran off obediently, Polly walked up and down the porch withhasty steps, holding her hands as tightly locked together as the injuredarm would allow. "Oh! if I only had time to think--but I ought to try,even if I don't say just exactly the right words, for Mr. Marlowe maynot be able to take him back if I wait," and then Grandpapa camehurrying out with, "Where's Polly?" and she was kissed and her cheekspatted--he not seeming to notice anything amiss in her--he was so gladto get back; and through it all, Polly saw only Jasper's face, and,although everything seemed to turn around before her, she made up hermind that she would tell Grandpapa just what she thought, and beg him tochange his mind, the very first instant she could.

And so, before the first greetings of the homecoming were fairly over,Polly, afraid her courage would give out if she waited a moment longer,put her hand on Mr. King's arm. "What is it, dear?" asked the oldgentleman, busy with Phronsie, who hung around his neck, while she triedto tell him everything that had happened during his absence; and hepeered over her shoulder into Polly's face.

"Grandpapa," cried Polly in a tremor, "could you let me talk to you alittle just now? Please, Grandpapa."

For the first time in her life, Phronsie said rebelliously, "Oh! I don'twant to wait, Polly. Dear Grandpapa has just got home, and I must tellhim things."

"So you shall, Phronsie," declared old Mr. King, drawing her off beyondPolly's reach. "There, now you and I will get into this quiet corner,"and he sat down and drew Phronsie to his knee. "Now, Pet, so you areglad to get your old Grandpapa home, eh?"

Polly, in an agony at being misunderstood, followed, and withoutstopping to think, she threw her arms around Phronsie and cried, "O,Phronsie! do trust me, dear, and let Grandpapa go. I must see him now!"

Mr. King gave Polly's burning cheeks a keen glance, then he set Phronsieon the floor abruptly. "Phronsie, see, dear, Polly really needs me.Come, child," and he gathered up Polly's hand into his own, and marchedout of the room with her.

"Suppose we go in here," said the old gentleman, "and have our talk,"unceremoniously opening the door of Mrs. Higby's best room as he spoke;"nobody is likely to disturb us here."

Polly, not caring where she went, but with the words she must speakweighing heavily on her mind, followed him unsteadily into the parlor,and while he threw open a blind or two to light up the gloom thatusually hung over Mrs. Higby's best room, she busied herself trying tothink how she should begin.

"There, now, my dear," said Mr. King, coming up to her, and drawing heroff to a big haircloth sofa, standing stiffly against the wall, "we willsit down here, and then we can go over it comfortably together andsettle what is on your mind," he added, feeling immensely gratified atthe impending confidence.

"Grandpapa," cried Polly in desperation, and springing from the sofa,where he had placed her by his side, to stand in front of him, "I don'tknow where to begin. Oh! do help me." She clasped her hands, and stoodthe picture of distress, unable to say another word.

"Why, how can I help you to tell me, child," cried old Mr. King inastonishment, "when I don't know in the least what it is you want tosay?"

"Well, what, my dear?" asked the old gentleman, and taking one of herhands encouragingly. "Are you afraid of me? Why, Polly!"

Polly started at his tone of reproach, and threw her well arm around hisneck, exactly as Phronsie would have done, which so pleased the oldgentleman that it was easier for her to begin again to tell him what wason her mind. But when she had gotten as far as "It's just this"--shestopped again.

"Well, now, Polly," said Mr. King, sitting straight on the sofa, withdispleasure," I must say, I am surprised at you. I should never thinkthis was you, Polly, never in all the world," which so unnerved her,that she plunged at once into what she had set herself to do, saying themost dreadful thing that was possible.

"O, Grandpapa!" she cried, "do you think it can be right to take Jasperaway from his work?"

"Hoity-toity! Well, I must say, Polly," exclaimed the old gentleman inthe greatest displeasure, and rising abruptly from the sofa, brushingher aside as he did so, "that I never have been so surprised in my life,as to have you come to teach me my duty. Right? Of course it is--it mustbe, if I wish it. I have always looked out for Jasper's good," with thathe walked up and down the parlor, fuming at every step, and looking sovery dreadful, that Polly, rooted to the spot, had only to stand still,and watch him in despair.

"If you could have seen Jasper, the way he was when I found him," saidMr. King, tired at last of vituperating, and coming up to Polly sternly,"you would be glad to have me get him out of the wretched business. Itsmelt so of trade, and everybody was grossly familiar; while that Mr.Marlowe--I have no words for him, Polly. He insulted me."

"Oh!--oh!" cried Polly, with clasped hands and flaming cheeks. "Howcould he, Grandpapa? Jasper has always said he was such a gentleman."

"Jasper's ideas of what a gentleman should be, and mine, are verydifferent," exploded the old gentleman, beginning to walk up and downthe parlor again. "I tell you, Polly, that my boy is sadly changed sincehe went into that contemptible trade."

"But Jasper loves his work," mourned Polly, her color dying down.

"Loves his work? Well, he shouldn't," cried Mr. King in extremeirritation. "It's no sort of a work for him to love, brought up as hehas been. A profession is the only thing for him. Now he studies law"--

"O, Grandpapa!" cried Polly, quite white now, and she precipitatedherself in front of the old gentleman's angry feet, "Jasper just hatesthe law. I know, for he has often said so; and if you do fasten him downall his life to what he don't like, and make him be a lawyer, it willkill him. He'll do it, Grandpapa"--Polly rushed on, regardless of thelightning gleam of anger in the sharp eyes above her; and, although sheknew that after this she should never be the same Polly to him as ofold, she kept on steadily--"because you want him to; he'll do anythingto please you, and make you happy, Grandpapa, and he won't say anything,but it will kill him; it surely will, for he loves his work with Mr.Marlowe so." Then Polly stopped, aghast at the effect of her words.

"And what am I to do now, pray, to please you?" asked old Mr. King, anddrawing off to look at her quite coldly.

"He shall never go back to Mr. Marlowe with my consent," declared theold gentleman stiffly, his anger rising again, "and you have displeasedme very much, Polly Pepper, by all this. Now you may go; and remember,not another word about Jasper and his work. I will arrange everythingconcerning him without interference." And Polly, not knowing how creptout of Mrs. Higby's parlor, and shut the door.

[Illustration: "OH, WHY DID I SPEAK?" CRIED POLLY OVER AND OVER.]

"Polly!" somebody called, as she hurried on unsteady feet over thestairs to her own little room that she had begged under the farmhouseeaves. But she didn't even answer, only rushed on, and locked the doorbehind her. Then she threw herself on her knees by the bed, and buriedher face in her hands. This was worse than the day so long ago when shesat in the old rocking-chair in the little brown house, with eyes boundclosely to shut out all outside things; and all of them had been afraidshe was going to be blind. For now she felt sure that she had spoiledwhatever chance there might have been for Jasper. "Oh! why did Ispeak--why did I?" she cried, over and over in her distress, as sheburied her face deeper yet in Mrs. Higby's gay patch bedquilt.

After a while--Polly never could tell how long she had staidthere--somebody rapped at the door. It was Phronsie; and she cried in agrieved little voice, "Polly, are you here? I've been under theapple-trees--and just everywhere for you. Do let me in."

"I can't now, Pet," cried Polly, trying not to let her voice soundchoked with tears; "you run away, dear; Polly will let you in by andby."

"Are you sick, Polly?" cried Phronsie anxiously, and kneeling down toput her mouth to the keyhole.

"No, not a bit," said Polly hastily, and trying to speak cheerfully.

"Really, Polly?"

"Really and truly, Phronsie; there, run away, dear, if you love me."

Phronsie, at this, unwillingly crept off, and still Polly knelt on, withthe wild remorse tugging at her heart that she had been the one toinjure Jasper's prospects for life.

And then the dinner-bell rang, and Polly, who was never known to be lateat a meal, heard Mrs. Higby come out into the hall again, and shake thebig bell till it seemed to fill the whole farmhouse with its noise.

"Oh! I can't go down--I can't!" moaned poor Polly to herself, quite lostto everything but the dreadful distress at the mischief she had wrought.And then Phronsie came again, this time imploring, with tears--for Pollyfelt quite sure that she could hear her crying--that Polly would onlyopen the door, "and let me see you just once, Polly!"

And even Mrs. Cabot came, and Polly thought she should go wild to haveher stand outside there and beg and insist that Polly should come downto them all.

[Illustration: "ARE YOU SICK, POLLY?" CRIED PHRONSIE ANXIOUSLY.]

"I don't want any dinner," said Polly over and over. "I just must bealone a little while," and at last she spoke quickly to Mrs. Cabot'spersistent pleadings, "Have the goodness, Mrs. Cabot, not to call meagain." And then she was sorry the minute she had spoken the words, andshe opened her door a little crack to call after Mrs. Cabot, as shesailed downstairs in great displeasure, "Oh! do forgive me, dear Mrs.Cabot, for speaking so. I am very sorry, but I cannot come down justyet."

"I shall send you up your dinner, then," said Mrs. Cabot, only halfappeased, and pausing on the stairs.

"No, no!" begged Polly, and she seemed so distressed at the merethought, that Mrs. Cabot unwillingly let her have her way about it.

It was in the middle of the afternoon, and Polly, exhausted by weeping,had fallen asleep just where she was, on her knees by the bed, her headon the gay bedquilt, when a low knock on the door startled her and madeher rub her eyes and listen.

"Polly," said a voice--it was Jasper's--"won't you undo the door? I wantto speak to you."

"O, Jasper!" cried Polly, springing to her feet, and running over to thedoor, "I can't; don't ask me--not just yet."

"I won't ask you again," said Jasper, "if you don't wish it, Polly."

His voice showed his disappointment, and Polly, full of dismay at thetrouble she had made for him, couldn't find it in her heart to cause himthis new worry.

"You won't want to speak to me, Jasper," she cried, unlocking the doorwith trembling fingers, "when you know what I have done."

"What, Polly?" he cried, trying not to show how he felt at sight of theswollen eyelids and downcast face. Meanwhile he drew her out gently intothe hall. "There, let us sit down here," pausing before the widewindow-seat; "it's quiet here, and nobody will be likely to come here."He waited till Polly sat down, then made a place for himself beside her.

"How, Polly?" Jasper's face grew pale to his lips. "Oh! do tell me atonce," yet he seemed to be afraid of what she was about to say.

"O, Jasper! I thought perhaps I could help you. I never knew till thismorning, just before you came, that you had lost your place. Mrs. Cabothad a letter from her husband, and she told me. And I spoke to Grandpapaand begged him to let you go back, and, O, Jasper!" here Polly's tears,despite all her efforts to keep them back, fell in a shower, "you can'tguess how dreadfully Grandpapa feels, and he says--oh! he says that youare to study law, and never, never go back to Mr. Marlowe."

"Is that all?" exclaimed Jasper in such a tone of relief that Pollysprang to her feet and stared at him through dry eyes.

"All?" she gasped. "O, Jasper! I thought you loved your work."

CHAPTER XXII.

MR KING AND POLLY.

"So I do love my work," cried Jasper in a glow, "but, Polly," and hesprang to his feet and walked away so that she couldn't see his face, "Ithought that you were going to say something about yourself,"

Then he turned around and faced her again.

"O, Jasper!" exclaimed Polly reproachfully, "what could I possibly haveto say about myself! How can I think of anything when you are introuble?"

"Forgive me, Polly," broke in Jasper eagerly, and he took her hand, "anddon't worry about me; I mean, don't think that what you said toGrandpapa made any difference."

"But indeed it did, Jasper," declared Polly truthfully; "oh! I know itdid, and I have done it all."

"Polly--Polly!" begged Jasper in great distress, "don't, dear!"

"And now you must give it all up and go into the law--oh! the horrid,hateful law; oh! what will you do, Jasper?" And she gazed up into hisface pityingly.

"I shall have to go," said Jasper, drawing his breath hard, and lookingat her steadily. "You know you yourself told me long ago to make myfather happy any way, Polly." He smiled as he emphasized the last word.

"Oh! I know," cried Polly in despair, "but I didn't think it could everbe anything as bad as this, Jasper."

"'Any way' means pretty hard lines sometimes, Polly," said Jasper."Well, there's no help for it now, so you must help me to go throughwith it."

"And just think," mourned Polly, looking as if the shower were about tofall again, "how I've made it worse for you with Grandpapa. O, Jasper! Ishall never be any help to you."

"Polly!" exclaimed Jasper, in such a tone that she stopped to look athim in astonishment. "There, now, I'll tell you all about it," he addedwith his usual manner, and sitting down beside her again, "and thenyou'll see that nothing on earth made any difference to father. This wasthe way of it," and Jasper proceeded to lay before her every detail ofMr. King's visit to him, and all the circumstances at the store, notomitting Mr. Whitney's part in the affair, as shown by the letter thatJasper had seen.

"Oh, oh! how mean," interrupted Polly at this point, with flashing browneyes; "how could he?" and her lips curled disdainfully,

"Oh! Mason thought he was doing me the greatest favor in the world, Idon't doubt," answered Jasper. "You know, Polly, he never could bear tohear of the publishing business, and he was so disappointed when Iwouldn't go into the law."

"I know," said Polly, "but this was dreadful, to meddle--after you hadonce decided; very, very dreadful!"

"I think so," said Jasper, with a laugh; feeling surprisinglylight-hearted, it was so beautiful to be talking it all over with Polly,"but the trouble is, Mason don't. Well, and then came that dreadfulmisunderstanding about Mr. Marlowe; that hurt me worse than all. O,Polly! if you only knew the man," and Jasper relapsed into gloom oncemore.

"O, dear, dear!" cried Polly sympathetically, and clasping her hands."What can we do; isn't there anything to do?"

"No," said Jasper, "absolutely nothing. When father once makes up hismind about anything, it's made up for all time. I must just lose thefriendship of that man, as well as my place." With that his gloomdeepened, and Polly, feeling powerless to utter a word, slipped her handwithin his as it lay on his knee.

He looked up and smiled gratefully. "You see, Polly, we can't sayanything to him."

"Oh! no, no," cried Polly in horror at the mere thought; "I've only madeit a great deal worse."

"No, you haven't made it worse, dear; but we shouldn't do any good totalk to him about it."

"I don't believe I could live," cried Polly, off her guard, "to have himlook at me, and to hear him speak so again, Jasper."

Jasper started, while a frown spread over his face. "I can bear anythingbut that you should be hurt, Polly," he exclaimed, his fingerstightening over hers.

"Oh! I don't mind it so much," cried Polly, recovering herself hastily,"if I hadn't made mischief for you."

"And that you never must think of again. Promise me, Polly."

"I'll try not to," said Polly.

"You must just put the notion out of your mind whenever it comes in,"said Jasper decidedly; "you'll promise that, Polly, I know you will."

"Well," said Polly reluctantly, "I will, Jasper."

"All right," exclaimed Jasper, in great satisfaction.

"Polly--Polly." Phronsie's yellow head came up above the stairs, andpresently Phronsie came running up to them in great haste.

"O, Polly!" and she threw her arms hungrily around Polly and hugged herclosely. "O, dear!" letting her arms fall, "I wasn't to stop a minute.Grandpapa wants you to drive with him, Polly, and you are to go rightdown as soon as you get your hat on."

"Grandpapa!" screamed Polly, jumping off from the window-seat so hastilythat Phronsie nearly fell over, while Jasper was hardly less excited."Why, Phronsie, you can't mean it. He"--

"Father really wants you, Polly, I know," broke in Jasper, with a lookinto the brown eyes. But his voice shook, and if Phronsie hadn't been soworried over Polly, she would certainly have noticed it.

"Polly hasn't had any dinner," she said in a troubled way.

"Oh! I don't care for dinner," cried Polly, with another look at Jasper,and beginning to dance off to her room for her hat.

"But you must have some," declared Phronsie in gentle authority, goingtoward the stairs, "and I shall just ask Grandpapa to wait for you toget it. Mrs. Higby saved your dinner for you, Polly"--

"Oh! I couldn't eat a morsel," protested Polly from her little room,"and don't ask Grandpapa to wait an instant, whatever you do, Phronsie.See, I'm ready," and she ran out into the hall, putting on her hat asshe spoke.

"Get her a glass of milk, Phronsie," called Jasper, standing by thestair-railing; "that's a good child."

Polly flashed him a grateful look as she dashed down the stairs, drawingon her gloves, and not daring to look forward to meeting Grandpapa.

But when she came out to the back piazza, Phronsie following her withthe glass, and begging her to drink up the rest left in it, old Mr.King, standing by the little old-fashioned chaise, received her exactlyas if nothing had happened.

"Well, I declare, Polly," he said, turning to her with a smile, "I neversaw anybody get ready so quickly as you can. There, hop in, child," andhe put aside her dress from the wheel in his most courtly mannerpossible.

"Polly hasn't had all the milk," said Phronsie, by the chaise-step,holding up the glass anxiously.

"Well, I don't believe she wants it," said old Mr. King.

[Illustration: "POLLY HASN'T HAD ALL THE MILK," SAID PHRONSIE]

"No, I don't," said Polly, from the depths of the old chaise. "Icouldn't drink it, dear."

Mr. King bent his white head to kiss Phronsie, and then they drove away,and left her standing in the lilac-shaded path, her glass in her hand,and looking after them.

All sorts of things Mr. King talked of in the cheeriest manner possible,just as if Polly and he were in the habit of taking a drive like thisevery morning; and he never seemed to notice her swollen eyelids, orwhether she answered, but kept on bravely with the conversation. At lastPolly, at something he said, laughed in her old merry fashion; then Mr.King drew a long breath, and relaxed his efforts.

"I declare, Polly," he said, leaning back in a comfortable way againstthe old cushion, and allowing the neighbor's horse, hired for theoccasion, to amble along in its own fashion, "now we are so cosy, Ibelieve I'll tell you a secret."

Polly stopped laughing and gazed at him.

"How would you like to take a little journey, just you and I,to-morrow?" he asked, looking down into her face.

"A journey, Grandpapa?" asked Polly wonderingly.

"Yes; about as far as---say, well, to the place where Jasper has beenall winter. The fact is, Polly," went on Mr. King very rapidly, as ifwith the fear that if he stopped he would not be able to finish at all,"I want you to look over the ground--Jasper's work, I mean. It seems anabominable place to me--a perfectly abominable one," confided the oldgentleman in a burst of feeling, "but there," pulling himself up, "maybeI'm not the one to say it. You see, Polly, I never did a stroke of workin my life, and I really can't tell how working-places ought to look.And I suppose a working man like Mr. Marlowe might be different from me,and yet be a decent sort of a person, after all. Well, will you go?" heasked abruptly.

"O, Grandpapa!" cried Polly, aghast, and turning in the chaise to lookat him with wide eyes.

"Yes, I really mean it," nodded old Mr. King, in his most decidedfashion, "although I don't blame you for thinking me funny, child."

"I was only thinking how good you are Grandpapa!" exclaimed Pollyfervently, and creeping up close to his side.

"There--there, Polly, child," said the old gentleman, "no more of that,else we shall have a scene, and that's what I never did like, dear, youknow. Well, will you go with me--you haven't said yes yet."

"Oh! yes, yes, yes," cried Polly, in a rapturous shout, not taking herglowing eyes off from his face.

"Take care, you'll scare the natives," warned old Mr. King, beaming ather. "Brierly folks couldn't have any such transports, Polly," as theyturned down a shady lane and ambled by a quiet farmhouse.

"Well, they ought to," replied Polly merrily, peering out at the still,big house. "O, Grandpapa! I just want to get out and jump and scream. Idon't feel any bigger than Phronsie."

"Well, I much rather have you here in this carriage with me," said theold gentleman composedly. "Now that's settled that we are going, Polly.Of course I asked the doctor; I sent down a letter to him after dinner,to ask if your arm would let you take a little journey with me, and ofcourse he said 'yes,' like a sensible man. Why shouldn't he, praytell--when we were all going home in a day or two? Now, of course, thatmust be postponed a bit."

"Never mind," Polly hastened to say, "if Jasper is only fixed up."

"Now, Polly," Mr. King shifted his position a bit, so that he might seeher the better, "perhaps Mr. Marlowe won't take Jasper back. Judgingfrom what I know of the man, I don't think he will," and the oldgentleman's face, despite his extreme care, began to look troubled atonce.

"I don't know, Polly," he said, in a worried way. "I think it's verydoubtful; indeed, from what I know of business now, I don't believe atall that he will. But then, we can try."

"Oh! we can try," echoed Polly hopefully, and feeling as if, since Godwas good, he would let Jasper back into his chosen life-work.

"Well, we'll start early to-morrow morning on our little trip, Polly,"said the old gentleman, catching her infectious spirit, and giving theold horse a fillip with the whip. "Meantime, not a word, my dear, of ourlittle plan!"

So Polly promised the deepest secrecy, and that no one should even havea hint from her looks, of what Grandpapa and she were to do.

And the next morning, although everybody was nearly devoured bycuriosity, no one dared to ask questions; so old Mr. King and Polly,with two well-filled portmanteaus, departed for a journey of apparentlya few days; and Polly didn't dare to trust herself alone with Jasper,but ran a race with him around all the angles of the old farmhouse,always cleverly disappearing with a merry laugh when there was the leastchance of his overtaking her and cornering her for an explanation.

And Pickering Dodge, in his invalid chair drawn close to the window,heard the merry preparations for the journey, and fretfully declared"that people seem to be happy, with never a thought for a poor dog likeme," while old Mr. Loughead, who, despite Doctor Bryce's verdict, hadnever seemed quite well enough in his own estimation for his departurefrom the "Higby hospital," on the contrary brightened up, exclaiming,"Now, that is something like--to hear Miss Polly laugh like that--blessher!"

"Good-by, Pickering," said Polly, coming into his room, old Mr. Kingclose behind; "I am going away with Grandpapa for a day or two," and shecame up in her traveling hat and gown close to his chair.

"So I heard," said Pickering, lifting his pale face, and trying to seemglad, for Polly's joy was bubbling over. But he made rather a poor showof it.

"Good-by to you, my boy," said Mr. King, laying a soft palm over thethin fingers on Pickering's knee. "Now see that you get up a little morevigor by the time we are back. Goodness! all you want is a trifle morebackbone. Why, an old fellow like me would beat you there, I do believe.I am surprised at you," cried the old gentleman, shaking his fingers atMr. Loughead, with whom he was on the best of terms, but never feelingthe necessity to weigh his words, "that you, being chief nurse, don'tset up with that boy and make him get on his feet quicker."

"So I could do," cried old Mr. Loughead, whose chief object in lifesince Pickering had been pronounced out of danger, had been to browbeatthe trained nurse, and usurp the authority in Pickering's sick-room, "ifMrs. Cabot would keep out, or take it into her head to return home. Tostate it mildly," continued the old gentleman, not lowering his tone inthe least, "that lady doesn't seem to be gifted with the qualities of anurse. Providence never intended that she should be one, in my opinion."

"Don't tell him to bully me worse than he does," cried Pickering. "Heshows a frightful hand when he wants his own way."

"That's it," cried old Mr. King delightedly; "only just keep it up.You'll get well fast, as long as you can fight. Come on, Polly, my girl,or we shall be late for the train."

The evening before, Jack Loughead ran up the steps to Miss Salisbury's"Select School for Young Ladies," and pulled the bell hastily.

Amy ran down as quickly to the little room where she was always allowedto see her brother.

"Well, Amy, child," cried Jack, when they had gone through with thepreliminaries always religiously observed on his visits: how she hadprogressed in her music under the new teacher Miss Pepper hadrecommended during her enforced absence, and how far she had pleasedMiss Salisbury, and all the other things an elder brother who had cometo his conscience rather late, would be apt to look into. "And so youreally think you are getting on in your practice?"

"O, yes, Jack!" cried Amy confidently. "Come and see; I've a newBeethoven for you," and she laid hold of his arm with eager fingers."Now, you'll be immensely surprised, Jack--immensely."

"No doubt, no doubt," answered Jack hastily, and not offering to get upfrom the sofa, "but you needn't play it now."

"Why, Jack," cried Amy, no little offended, "what's the matter? You'veasked me regularly to play you my pieces, and now to-night when I offerto, you won't have any of it," and she began to pout.

"That's shabby in me," declared Jack, with remorse; and getting off thesofa, to his feet, he dutifully spread the music on the rack, and paidhis little sister such attention, that she was soon smilingly launchedinto the new piece, and lost to everything else but her own melody.

"That's fine!" pronounced Jack, as Amy declared herself through, andwhirled around on the music-stool for his applause. But his heart wasn'tin it, and Amy's blue eyes soon found it out.

"You're not a bit like yourself to-night, Brother Jack," she cried, withanother pout and staring at him.

So the two turned their backs on the piano; and pretty soon, Amy, herhand in her brother's big brown palm, was nestled up against him, andhearing a confidence that made her small soul swell with delight.

"Amy," said Jack, putting his arm closer around her, "when Miss Pepperhad the courage to tell me of my duty to you, I made up my mind that youshould never want for anything that my hand could supply."

"And I never have," cried little Amy, poking her head up from its nestto look at him. "All the girls say you are just splendid to me; thatthey never saw such a brother; and I don't believe they ever did, Jack,"she added proudly.

"So now, what I am about to do," said Jack, speaking with great effort,"isn't to bring anything but the greatest happiness to you, Amy, as wellas to me. If only I can secure it!" he added under his breath.

"What are you going to do, Jack?" demanded Amy, springing away from himto stare into his bronzed face. "Oh! I know; you are going to Europeagain, and will take me this time--oh! goody, goody!" She screamed likea child, clapping her hands gaily.

"Hush, Amy," cried Jack, trying to speak lightly, "or Miss Salisburywill come in, and send me off, saying I spoil your manners. There, comeback here to me; I can talk better then," and he drew her to his sideagain. "No, it is something much more beautiful than any trip to Europewould be."

This time Amy sprang to the middle of the floor of Miss Salisbury'ssmall reception-room. "Marry you, Brother Jack!" she screamed. "Oh! howperfectly elegant! It's too lovely for anything--oh! my darling MissPepper," and so on, till Jack couldn't make her hear a word.

"Amy--Amy," at last he said, getting up to her, to lay an imperativehand on her arm, "what would Miss Pepper say--don't get so excitable,child--to see you now? Do hush!"

"I know it," said Amy, stopping instantly, and creeping humbly back tothe sofa; "Miss Pepper was always telling me how to stop screaming ateverything I liked; and not to cry at things I didn't like," sheconfessed frankly.

"Well, then, if you love her," said Jack, going back to sit down by heragain, "you will try to do what she says. And you do love her, I amquite sure, Amy."

"I love her so," declared Amy, "that I would do any and everything sheever asked me to, Brother Jack."

"I thought so," said Jack. "Well, now, Amy, I must tell you that I wentto see Mrs. Fisher to-day, to ask her if I may speak to Miss Pepper. Andshe gives me full permission; and so I shall go to Brierly to-morrow,and try my fate."

"It won't be any trying at all," cried Amy superbly, and stretching herneck to look up with immense pride at her tall brother. "She can't helploving you, Jack! Oh! I am so happy."

Jack Loughead's dark face had a grave look on it as he glanced down ather. "I hope so," he said simply.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THAT SETTLES MANY THINGS.

"It's perfectly dreadful," cried Alexia Rhys, wrinkling her brows, "totry to get up anything with Polly away. If we only had Joel to help us,that would be something"--

"Well, it's got to be done," said Clem Forsythe, in a matter-of-factway.

"Of course it has," cried Alexia gustily. "Dear me," in a tone ofhorror, "did you suppose that we'd let Polly Pepper go on year afteryear getting up perfectly elegant things for us, and then we notcelebrate for her, when she comes home, and with a broken arm, too? Theidea, Clem!"

"Well, then I think we much better set to work to think up something,"observed Clem wisely, "if we are going to do anything."

"Alexia, you are enough to drive anybody wild," cried Sally Moore; "it'sbad enough to know there isn't an idea in all our heads put together,without having you tell us of it every minute. Cathie Harrison, whydon't you say something, instead of staring that wall out ofcountenance?"

"Because I haven't anything to say," replied Cathie, laughing grimly andleaning back in her chair resignedly. "Oh, dear! I think just as Alexiadoes, it will be utterly horrid whatever we do."

"Don't you be a wet blanket," cried two or three of the girls, "ifAlexia is. Oh, dear! Miss Chatterton, you are the only one of sense inthis company. Now do give us an idea," added one.

"I don't know in the least how to help," said Charlotte Chattertonslowly, and leaning her elbows on her knees she rested her head in herhands. "I never got up a play or tableau, nor anything of the kind in mylife; and we never celebrated anything either; there was never anythingto celebrate--but I should think perhaps it would be better not to tryto do great things."

"Why, Miss Chatterton," exclaimed Alexia Rhys, in great disapproval, andstarting forward in the pretty pink-trimmed basket chair. "I'm perfectlysurprised at you--nothing can be too good for Polly Pepper. We must getup something perfectly magnificent, or else I shall die!" she criedtragically.

"Nothing can be too good for Polly," repeated Charlotte, taking her headout of her hands and looking at Alexia, "but isn't it better not to tryto be too grand, and have something simple, because, whatever we do,Polly must always have had things so much nicer."

"In other words, it's better to hit what you aim at, than to shoot atthe clouds and bring down nothing," said Clem sententiously.

"Yes--yes, I think so," cried Cathie, clapping her hands; "it's awfullyvulgar to try to cut a dash--that is, if you can't do it," she addedquickly.

[Illustration: "NOTHING CAN BE TOO GOOD FOR POLLY PEPPER!" CRIED ALEXIA,STARTING FORWARD.]

Charlotte gave a short laugh, but with a little bitter edge to it. Whywould the girls who now seemed to be so glad to have her in the centerof all their plans, persist in calling her Miss Chatterton? It gave hera chill every time, and she fairly hated the name.

"And now since we are going to follow your advice," went on Alexia, "beso good as to tell us a little bit more. Now what shall we do in the wayof a simple, appropriate fandango--a perfect idyl of a thing, you know?"

"Well," said Charlotte quietly, "you know in the olden time atChristmas"--

"But this isn't Christmas," cried Alexia, interrupting with an uneasygesture.

"At Christmas ages ago, when special honor was done to entertain theKing wherever he was lodged," went on Charlotte, "there was a Lord ofMisrule, who gathered together a company of ladies and gentlemen, whorummaged the old castles for grotesque costumes and furbelows. And thenmasked, they all came in and marched before the King, and danced,oh--everything--we might have Minuets and Highland Flings, and all therest. And they did everything the Lord of Misrule directed, and"--

"Charlotte Chatterton, you are a jewel!" cried Alexia, tumbling out ofher chair, and flying at her, which example was followed by all theother girls.

"Thank you," cried Charlotte, with glistening eyes.

"Thank you? I guess we do thank you," cried Sally Moore heartily, "forgetting us out of this scrape."

"Oh! I don't mean that," said Charlotte indifferently, "I mean becauseyou called me by my first name, the same as you girls always talk toeach other."

There was a little pause. "Oh! we didn't know as you'd like it," brokein Alexia hastily, "you are so tall, and you never seem in a hurry, noras if you cared a straw about being like a girl, and we didn't dare. Butnow, oh, Charlotte--Charlotte!" And she gave her a hug that well repaidCharlotte for all the past.

"That's a regular bear-hug," she cried at last, releasing her and takinga long breath, "and equal to a few dozen common every-day ones."

"If Charlotte can breathe after that," said Clem, turning on Charlotte apair of glowing eyes, "she'll do well. We are just as glad to call youCharlotte, aren't we, girls," whirling around on the group, "as Alexia,for all her bear-hug."

"Yes--yes," cried the whole bevy.

"Well, now, girls," said Alexia, running over to give Clem a smallshake, "let's to business. There isn't any time to waste. CharlotteChatterton, will you tell us the rest of it, and who will be the Lord ofMisrule?--dear me, if we only had Joel here!"

"I think Doctor Fisher would be the Lord of Misrule," said Charlotte;"he said he'd do anything we wanted of him, to help out."

The girls one and all gave a small howl, and clapped their hands,crying, "Capital--capital!"

"Let's go and ask him now!" cried Alexia, who wasn't anything if notenergetic; and running to her closet, she picked off her hat from theshelf and tossed it on her head. "Oh, how slow you are, girls--dohurry!" as the others flew to the bed where their different head-gearhad been thrown.

"But it's his office hours," said Charlotte, hating in her new-foundhappiness at being one with the girls, to put a damper on their plan.

"Bother! supposing it is," exclaimed Alexia, in front of herpink-and-white draped mirror, while she ran the long hat pins throughher fluffy hair, "it's as important to take care of us girls, as if wewere a lot of patients. We shall be, if we don't get this fixed. Comeon, girls!" she seized a lace scarf from some mysterious corner, andpranced to the door, shaking her gloves at the group.

"I don't think we ought to go, now," said Charlotte distinctly, notoffering to join the merry scramble for the wearing apparel on the bed.

"Charlotte Chatterton!" cried Alexia, thoroughly annoyed, "aren't youashamed of yourself? Don't listen to her, girls, but come on," and sheran out to the head of the stairs.

The other girls all stopped short.

"I don't think Polly would like it, and it isn't right," said Charlotte,hating to preach, but standing her ground. At this Alexia, out in thehall, came running back.

"Oh! dear--dear, it's perfectly dreadful to be with such good people!There, now, Charlotte, don't look like that," rushing up to the tallgirl and standing on tiptoe to drop a kiss on the sallow cheek--"wewon't go; we'll stay at home and be martyrs," and she began to tear offher hat with a tragic air.

"Why not go to Madam Dyce's and ask her to loan us some of her oldbrocades and bonnets?" proposed Cathie Harrison suddenly. "She's got aperfect lot of horrible antiques."

"The very thing!" cried Alexia, the others coming in as chorus.

Charlotte Chatterton rushed as happily as any of them for her walkingthings. "And then Doctor Fisher's office hours may be over, and we maystop there on our way home," she cried.

Doctor Fisher's office hours were not only over, but the little doctorassured one and all of the eager group that precipitated themselves uponhim, that nothing would give him greater delight than to be a Lord ofMisrule at the celebration to be gotten up for the home-coming.

"And it's a very appropriate way to celebrate, my dears," he said,beaming at them over his large spectacles; "for it will be for thecoming of the King; King by name as well as nature," and he laughedenjoyably at his own pun. "And I'm sure nobody ever did rule his kingdomso well as our Grandpapa. So let's have a splendid mummery, or masquing,or whatever you call it; and in my opinion, you were very smart to thinkit up."

Thereupon Alexia pulled Charlotte Chatterton unwillingly into the centerof the group that surrounded the little doctor. "We didn't; it was allCharlotte," she said.

Doctor Fisher took a long look at the pink spot on Charlotte's sallowcheek, and into her happy eyes, then he turned and surveyed the bevy.

"We'll have a good time, my dears," he said.

* * * * *

"Now, Polly," exclaimed old Mr. King, drawing her back an instant beforestepping into Farmer Higby's big carryall, waiting at the station as thetrain came in, "you mustn't even look as if you had any secret on yourmind--oh, come now, that won't do, my dear," turning her around tostudy the dancing eyes and rosy cheeks. "I can't take you home lookinglike that, I really can't, my dear."

Polly tried to pull down her face, but with such poor success that theold gentleman sighed in dismay.

"Well, you must be careful to keep away from everybody as much as youcan," he whispered, as he helped her into the ancient vehicle, "andwhatever you do, don't say much to Jasper, or you'll surely let thewhole thing out," and he got in beside her. "There, drive on, do, Mr.Higby."

"You'll tell Jasper that he is to go back to Mr. Marlowe?" Polly leanedover and was guilty of whispering behind Farmer Higby's broad back. "Oh,Grandpapa! you won't keep him waiting to know that, will you?" she beggedanxiously.

"No; that shall be at once, as soon as I see my boy," replied the oldgentleman; "but, the rest, Polly; how Mr. Marlowe is coming to look inupon us at our own home, and to meet us the very evening wearrive--that's to be kept as dark as possible."

"Yes, indeed," cried Polly, getting back into her own corner with ahappy little wriggle, all unconscious of Grandpapa's conspiracy withMother Fisher in regard to the home-coming.

"For if I can't have the surprise party I started for," declared the oldgentleman to himself, "I'll have a jollification at the other end." Sohe had telegraphed to Mrs. Fisher an additional message to his manyletters, all on the same subject--"Have what celebration you like, andinvite whom you like. And let it be gay, for the College boys have gotleave, and they bring a friend."

And at such intervals when he could take his mind from Jasper and hisaffairs, it afforded Mr. King infinite delight to tap a certain letterin his breast pocket, that opened, might have revealed in boldcharacters, a great deal of gratitude for his kindness in inviting thewriter on with Joel, which was gladly accepted and signed RobertBingley.

"Where's Jasper?" said Mr. King, as he and Polly got out of the carryallinto the bustle of the farmhouse delight over their return.

"He's gone fishing with Phronsie," said Mrs. Cabot; "we didn't any of usexpect you till this afternoon."

"Goodness me! couldn't they go fishing any other day?" cried the oldgentleman irascibly. "Well, I suppose there's no help for it. Ah!Loughead, that you?" extending a cordial hand to the tall figure waitingat the end of the porch till the family greetings were over; "glad tosee you."

But Jack Loughead had no eyes for anybody but Polly's happy face; and hebarely touched the extended palm, while he mumbled something about beingglad to be there; then awkwardly stood still.

Mrs. Cabot, who evidently did not regard him in the friendliest oflights, turned her back upon him, keeping her arm around Polly."Pickering is waiting to see you," she said, and trying to draw her off.

"I don't know how," said Jack Loughead, after a moment's pause, duringwhich Polly had lifted her face to look at him wonderingly, "to tellyou. I have never been among ladies, and my mother died when I wasfifteen; since that I have been working hard, and known no other life.You have been so kind to Amy," he said suddenly, as if there were arefuge in the words.

"Oh, don't put it that way," cried Polly, full of sympathy, "Amy is adear little thing; I am very fond of her."

He turned glad eyes on her. "Yes, I know. And when you spoke to me andshowed me my duty, I"--

"Oh!" cried Polly, with cheeks aflame, "don't make me think of thattime. How could I speak so, and to you, who know so much more of dutythan I ever could imagine? Pray forget it, Mr. Loughead," she begged.

"I can't," said Jack Loughead gravely, "for it was the kindest thing Iever supposed one could say to another--and then--I from thattime--loved you, Miss Pepper!"

Polly Pepper stopped short in the lane. "Oh, don't--don't!" she begged,and covered her face with her hands.

"I must tell you," said Jack Loughead, still gravely, and standingquietly to look at her; "and I have come to ask you to marry me."

"Oh!" cried Polly again, and not daring to look at him, "I am so sorry,"she cried, "I wouldn't hurt you for all the world, Mr. Loughead."

"I know it," he said, waiting for her to finish.

"For--for, I do like you so much--so very much," cried poor Polly,wishing the birds wouldn't sing so loud. "You have taught me so much,oh, so much, I can't tell you, Mr. Loughead, about being true and noble,and"--

He waited patiently till she began again.

"But I couldn't marry you; oh, I couldn't," here Polly forced herself tolook at him, but her head went down again at sight of his face.

"You sha'n't be troubled," said Jack Loughead gently, "I'll take myselfout of the way, and make all excuses at the house."

[Illustration: "MY! WHAT A SIGHT OF FISH! EXCLAIMED MRS. HIGBY, DROPPINGTO HER KNEES BESIDE THE BASKET.]

"Jasper," said Mrs. Cabot in great irritation, when Jasper and Phronsiewandered into Mrs. Farmer Higby's neat kitchen a half-hour later, withtorn garments and muddy shoes, "they got home while you were away, andthat tiresome Mr. Loughead came a little before them; and he made Pollygo to walk with him; actually made her!" Mrs. Cabot leaned her jeweledhands on Mrs. Higby's spotless pine table, and regarded him in greatdistress.

"My! what a sight of fish," exclaimed Mrs. Higby, getting down on herknees before the basket. "Now I s'pose you want some fried for dinner,don't you, Mr. Jasper?"

"Yes," said Jasper, bringing his gaze off from the fish, "I think theybetter be, Mrs. Higby," and he went out of the kitchen without lookingat Mrs. Cabot.

Up at the head of the stairs he ran against Jack Loughead.

"It's all against me, King," said Jack unsteadily.

Jasper lifted heavy eyes, that, all at once, held a lightning gleam.Then he put his good right hand on Jack's shoulder.

"I'm sorry for you," he said.

"One thing, King," said Jack gratefully, "will you have an eye to myuncle? He won't come with me now, but insists on going with your fatherwho kindly invited us both to go home with you all. And when he isready, just telegraph me and I will meet him at New York."

"I'll do it gladly," said Jasper, quite shocked at Jack's appearance;"anything more, Loughead? Do let me help you."

"Nothing," said Jack, without looking back.

CHAPTER XXIV.

HOME!

"I don't want to leave you, Mrs. Higby," said Phronsie slowly.

Mrs. Higby looked as if she were about to throw her apron over her headagain. "You blessed child!" she exclaimed, half-crying and allowing herhands to rest on the rim of the dish-pan.

"You have been so very good to us," continued Phronsie, shaking heryellow head decidedly. "I love you, Mrs. Higby, very much indeed." Withthat she clasped the farmer's wife around her stout waist and held herclosely.

"I've made you ever so much trouble, Mrs. Higby," said Phronsie, in apenitent little voice, and enjoying to the fullest extent the pettingshe was receiving. "And I'm so sorry."

"Trouble!" exploded the farmer's wife, smoothing Phronsie's yellow hairwith her large red hands, "the land! it's only a sight of comfort you'vebeen. Why, I've just set by you!"

"I've come in here," said Phronsie, reflectively peering around at thespotless kitchen floor, "with muddy boots on and spoiled it; and I'vetalked when you wanted to weigh out things, and make cake, and once,don't you remember, Mrs. Higby, I left the pantry door open and the catgot in and ate up part of the custard pudding."

"Bless your heart!" exclaimed Mrs. Higby, with another squeeze, "I'veforgot all about it."

"But I haven't," said Phronsie, with a sigh, "and I'm sorry."

"Well, now," said the farmer's wife, "I'll tell you how we will settlethat; if you'll come again to the farm, and give my old eyes a sight ofyou, that'll make it all right."

"You're not old," cried Phronsie, wriggling enough out of Mrs. Higby'sarms to look at the round red cheeks and bright eyes. "Oh, Mrs. Higby!and you're just as nice!" With that she clasped her impulsively aroundthe neck. "And Pickering likes you too, Mrs. Higby," continued Phronsie,"he says you're as good as gold."

"You don't say so!" cried Mrs. Farmer Higby, intensely gratified; "well,he's as nice a boy as ever lived, I'm sure, and I'm just as tickled as Ican be that that fever was broke up so sudden, for you see, Phronsie,he's got the making of being a right smart man yet."

"Grandpapa is going to have Pickering go home with us," said Phronsie,confidentially, and edging away from the farmer's wife to facilitateconversation. "And he's going to stay at our house with us till he getsnice and strong."

"Well, I'm dreadful glad of that," declared Mrs. Higby heartily, "forthat a'nt of his--well, there, Phronsie, she ain't to my taste; she issuch a making sort of woman--she comes in here and she wants to make medo this, and do that, till I'm most out of my wits, and I'd like to takemy broom and say 'scat' as I do to the cat," and a black frown settledon Mrs. Higby's pleasant face.

Phronsie began to look quite grave. "She loves Pickering," she saidthoughtfully, "and when he was so bad she cried almost all the time,Mrs. Higby."

"Oh! she loves him well enough," answered Mrs. Higby, "but she fussesover him so, and wants her way all the same. It would be good if shethought somebody else knew something once in a while," and she began tosplash in the dish-pan vigorously to make up for lost time, quicklyheaping up a pile of dishes to drain on the little old tray.

Upstairs Jasper and his father were going over again all the incidentsof Mr. King's and Polly's trip, that the old gentleman was willing tocommunicate, and Jasper, despite his eagerness to know all the whys andwherefores, held himself in check as well as he could, scarcelyrealizing that he was really to go back to Mr. Marlowe's.

And Polly and Mrs. Cabot were busily packing, with the aid of a farmer'sdaughter who lived near, while Polly, who dearly loved to do it allherself, was forced to stand by and direct matters; and old Mr. Lougheaddivided his time between stalking out to the piazza where Pickering wasslowly pacing back and forth in his "constitutional," to insist that heshouldn't "walks his legs off," and calling Polly from her work, "justto help me a bit, my dear"--when he got into a tight place over thepacking that he insisted should be done by none but his own two hands.

And the whole farmhouse was soon thrown into such a bustle and ferment,that any one looking in would have known without the telling, that "Mr.King's family are going home." And after a day or so of all this, FarmerHigby carried a wagon-load of trunks down to the little station, and hiswife drove the carryall, in the back of which Pickering was carefullytucked with Mrs. Cabot, who insisted on being beside him, and old Mr.Loughead in front--the others of the party merrily following in a largeold vehicle of no particular pattern whatever--and before anybody couldhardly realize it, the train came rushing in, and there were hurriedgood-bys, and hand-shakes, and they were off--Phronsie crying as sheheld to her, "I wish you were going too, I do, dear Mrs. Higby." And thefarmer and his wife were left on the platform, staring after them withsorry eyes.

"Well, now, Phronsie," said Mr. King, as they quieted down, and Phronsieturned back after the last look at the little station, "I think it istime to answer your question, so as to let you go home without anythingon your mind."

"About Charlotte, you mean, Grandpapa?" whispered Phronsie softly, withwide eyes, and glancing back to see that no one else heard.